Niehaus memorial vandalized

The memorial outside Safeco Field for Dave Niehaus, the late Mariners broadcaster who died of a heart attack Wednesday, was damaged, but not as badly as initially reported.

Sometime between Saturday night and early Sunday morning, a can of beer that had been left there was taken and a $10 bill that was taped to a sign was stolen. Organizers plan for signs and other tributes to go to Niehaus’ family — wife Marilyn, three children and six grandchildren.

Surveillance camera footage from late Saturday on was reviewed, Hale said, but the memorial did not appear to have had signs thrown around.

Mariners fan Joe Backus, who arranged items at the temporary memorial, told KIRO/7 he found the memorial ransacked when he returned Sunday afternoon. He told the station thieves also took baseball cards, bobble heads and a teddy bear.

Niehaus was with the Mariners since their inaugural 1977 season and was the only original employee of the organization who remained. He suffered a heart attack Wednesday and was 75. Read his obituary here.